Semirigid, collapsible, cinchable utility sack with pockets

ABSTRACT

A semirigid, collapsible, cinchable utility sack with pockets, wherein the utility sack is of generally cylindrical construction having a cinchable cover, a handle, and pockets disposed on the exterior of the bag. The interior of the utility sack may receive liquids, solids (dry or wet), and/or variously shaped articles, wherein the cinchable cover may thereafter be tightened to secure the materials contained within the utility sack.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Nonprovisional application is related to, and hereby claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/779,339, entitled “Semirigid, Collapsible, Cinchable Utility Sack with Pockets,” filed Mar. 3, 2006.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to utility bags, and more specifically to a semirigid, collapsible, cinchable utility sack with pockets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The effective transport of materials typically requires the use of containers that structurally and functionally accommodate for the consistency or physical characteristics of the materials to be transported. For instance, liquids are typically transported in a bucket with rigid sidewalls, wherein the bucket often comprises a handle to facilitate carriage thereof, and may further comprise a lid to suppress outflow and thereby contain liquid materials within the bucket. Although the characteristically rigid profile of a conventional bucket prevents collapse of the bucket under the weight of liquid introduced or otherwise contained therewithin, it is this particular structural characteristic that often impedes convenient storage of the bucket when not in use, as the shear area or size of the bucket commands an appropriately sized storage space.

While wet materials are better suited for containment within buckets, dry materials are more often transported within bag-like containers; that is, a container with flexible sides that freely adapts or conforms to the physical consistency of the dry materials contained therewithin. Additionally, most such bag-like containers may be sealed to prevent egress of the materials therefrom. While the structurally-flexible nature of such bags facilitates the collapsibility of same for convenient low-volume disposal, most lack a convenient carrying mechanism, are unsuitable for reuse, and are unable to contain liquid materials.

As an alternative to the foregoing, sacks may be utilized for containment, storage and/or transport of dry materials or articles, and may provide a closure mechanism, such as a drawstring or tie, to facilitate cinching or gathering of the top portion thereof and, thus, containment of the contents within the sack. Unfortunately, most such sacks are difficult to comfortably and conveniently grasp and carry, and are further generally structurally ill-equipped for effective containment of liquids.

Accordingly, because a variety of containers are available, it is often necessary and useful to have containers of assorted forms available in workshops, manufacturing facilities, and even around a residence. However, maintaining an inventory of different containers for different materials may be costly both in money and spatial consumption.

In addition to the transport of liquid and/or dry materials within containers, it is often necessary to transport a variety of other articles or items, such as, for exemplary purposes only, tools, to a selected location. While such articles may well be transported within the container when not being utilized to transport other materials, it would often be beneficial to effectively transport such other articles concurrently with the transport of wet or dry materials, or other selected items.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a semirigid, collapsible, cinchable utility sack with pockets; thereby, enabling ready and concurrent transport of a variety of articles and materials therewith, yet effectively enabling collapsibility and compact storage of the utility sack when not in use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a semirigid, collapsible, cinchable utility sack with pockets. The bag comprises a cover for containing articles or material therewithin, wherein the cover of the utility sack may be expanded into an open position by relaxation of drawstring cords. As such, selected articles, dry materials, or liquids may be placed within the interior of the utility sack and the cover cinched or otherwise closed, via drawstring cords, to secure the contents within the bag. In addition thereto, selected articles and/or materials may be disposed in any of one or more exterior pockets of the bag. Furthermore, a handle attached to the bag facilitates carriage thereof. When not in use, the utility sack may be collapsed and compactly stored without consuming significant space. Additionally, since the present utility sack may accommodate wet or dry materials, and/or selected articles, it obviates the need to have different containers for transportation and/or storage of different materials and articles.

According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention in its preferred form is a semirigid, collapsible, cinchable utility sack with pockets. The utility sack may be utilized to securely contain liquid or solid materials or articles. Additional articles, such as loose tools, may be carried in pockets disposed on the exterior of the utility sack.

More specifically, the present invention is a semirigid, collapsible, cinchable utility sack with pockets, wherein the utility sack comprises a generally cylindrical construction, a cinchable cover, a handle and pockets. The body of the bag preferably comprises an exterior, an interior, a bottom, and a top periphery. The interior of the bag is suitable for containing liquids, solids (dry or wet), and/or variously shaped articles. The body, cinchable cover, handle, and pockets are formed of woven polymeric material, but could alternatively be made of rubber, metal, natural fabric, or the like.

The body of the bag comprises a suitable thickness to endow the bag with a preferred semirigid structure. Further, the interior and/or exterior of the bag may be selectively coated and/or impregnated with sealing compounds to provide a liquid impermeable surface for effective containment of liquids within the utility sack. Such sealing compounds may further contribute to overall semirigidity of the bag, without compromising the collapsibility thereof. The bag handle is composed of a strap and a grip portion, wherein the grip portion provides a padded area to facilitate gripping via the transporter's hands.

The cinchable cover is preferably disposed below the top periphery of the body and secured to the interior wall thereof. When drawn tight, the cinchable cover forms a containment barrier to prevent egress of any contents from within the utility sack.

Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to selectively contain liquids, dry materials and/or articles.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to be collapsed to a low volume profile when not in use.

Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to transport articles, such as tools, on the exterior of the container body, concurrent with the transport of other materials within the container body.

Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to prevent spillage of materials contained therewithin.

Yet still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its semirigid structure that enables the bag to retain its shape during use, yet facilitates collapsibility of the bag during periods of non-use.

A further feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to eliminate dependency upon the combined use of multiple containers for transport of various types of materials.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Selected Alternate Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a semirigid, collapsible, cinchable utility sack according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a semirigid, collapsible, cinchable utility sack according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of a semirigid, collapsible, cinchable utility sack according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown collapsed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND SELECTED ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In describing the preferred and selected alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention in a preferred embodiment is a semirigid, collapsible, cinchable utility sack with pockets, wherein utility sack 10 preferably comprises body 20 of generally cylindrical construction, cinchable cover 90, handle 60 and pockets 200, wherein body 20 preferably has exterior 30, interior 40, bottom 210, and top periphery 220, and wherein interior 40 is preferably suitable for containing therewithin, liquids, solids (dry or wet) and variously shaped articles. Body 20, cinchable cover 90, handle 60 and pockets 200 preferably comprise suitable materials, such as polymers, wherein body 20, cover 90, handle 60 and pocket 200 are preferably of woven material. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that body 20, cinchable cover 90, handle 60 and pockets 200 could alternatively be made of rubber, metal, natural fabric, or the like.

Body 20, while formed of fabric, is preferably formed of a suitable thickness of material to provide a semirigid structure to utility sack 10. Further, interior 40 and/or exterior 30 of body 30 can selectively be coated and/or impregnated with sealing compounds, such as, for exemplary purposes only, rubber or polymers, to provide a liquid impermeable surface to permit containment of liquids within utility sack 10. Such sealing compounds preferably further add to the semirigidity of utility sack 10, while still permitting collapsibility of utility sack 10.

Handle 60 preferably comprises strap 70 and grip 80, wherein strap 70 preferably comprises first end 70 a and second end 70 b, wherein ends 70 a, 70 b are preferably secured to exterior 30 of body 20 via heat sealing, gluing, sewing, or other suitable means. Grip 80 preferably comprises material, woven or otherwise, of rubber, metal, natural fabric, polymer or the like, wherein grip 80 is preferably secured to central portion 72 of strap 70 to provide a padded area to facilitate hand gripping.

Cinchable cover 90 is preferably disposed below top periphery 220 of body 20, and preferably secured to interior 40 of body 20. Preferably, when drawn tight as described hereinbelow, cinchable cover 90 forms a containment barrier to prevent the egress of contents from utility sack 10.

Cinchable cover 90 preferably comprises gathered passage 100, wherein cords 110, 120 preferably pass within gathered passage 100 to constrict opening 90 when cords 110, 120 are shortened by pulling. Cords 110, 120 preferably pass through grommets 130 from interior 40 to exterior 30 of body 20. Retainers 140 preferably secure cords 110, 120 together and restrict movement thereof. Retainers 140 preferably comprise bases 160, buttons 170, throughholes 180 and springs 190, wherein buttons 170 are preferably disposed within bases 160 and in communication with springs 190, and wherein throughholes 180 are preferably disposed through bases 160 and buttons 170. Cords 110, 120 are preferably secured together via clasps 150, wherein clasps 150 are preferably molded to cooperatively receive, and are sealed to, cords 110, 120 via heat, gluing or the like. Clasps 150 preferably prevent cords 110, 120 from being accidentally removed from retainers 140 and/or cover 90.

Bottom 210 may comprise a rigid material, such as, for exemplary purposes only, a plastic sheet, fiberboard, cardboard, or the like, to provide additional strength and rigidity to utility sack 10.

Pockets 200 are preferably selectively disposed around body 20, wherein pockets 200 may be of varying size to facilitate containment of various articles therewithin.

In use, cover 90 of utility sack 10 is preferably expanded into the open position illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein cover 90 is preferably opened by relaxation of cords 110, 120 to thereby form opening 50. Articles, dry materials or liquids are preferably subsequently deposited within interior 40 of bag 10, and cover 90 is preferably thereafter closed via cinching cords 110, 120. Cords 110, 120 are preferably secured in position via retainers 140, wherein retainers 140 are preferably selectively moved along cords 110, 120 by depression of buttons 170 to open throughholes 180. Upon release of buttons 170, springs 190 preferably move buttons 170; thereby, pinching cords 110, 120 within throughholes 180, once again preferably securing retainers 140 in position on cords 110, 120.

Utility sack 10, containing articles and/or materials in interior 40 thereof and/or in pockets 200, can be conveniently transported via handle 60. When not in use, utility sack 10 may be collapsed (as best shown in FIG. 3) by preferably bringing top periphery 220 proximate bottom 210. In its collapsed state, utility sack 10 may be stored without requiring significant space.

The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims. 

1. A semirigid utility sack comprising: a cylindrical body; and a cinchable cover.
 2. The semirigid utility sack of claim 1, wherein said utility sack is collapsible.
 3. The semirigid utility sack of claim 1, wherein said utility sack is adapted to receive within an interior portion thereof objects selected from the group consisting of wet materials, dry materials, articles, and combinations thereof.
 4. The semirigid utility sack of claim 1, further comprising pockets.
 5. The semirigid utility sack of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical body comprises a woven material, said woven material being at least one of coated with a sealing compound and impregnated with a sealing compound to provide a liquid impermeable surface.
 6. The semirigid utility sack of claim 5, wherein said sealing compound is selected from the group consisting of rubbers and polymers.
 7. The semirigid utility sack of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical body comprises a rigid bottom.
 8. The semirigid utility sack of claim 1, wherein said cylindrical body comprises a semirigid material, said semirigid material providing structure to said semirigid utility sack when in use, and allowing said semirigid utility sack to be collapsed when not in use.
 9. The semirigid utility sack of claim 1, further comprising a strap for carrying said semirigid utility sack.
 10. The semirigid utility sack of claim 1, wherein said cinchable cover comprises a fabric member having an first peripheral edge defining an opening, and a second peripheral edge connected to an upper portion of said cylindrical body, said first peripheral edge including a drawstring for cinching together said first peripheral edge, thereby reducing a dimension of said opening.
 11. A method of transporting materials comprising the steps of: a) opening a cover of a utility sack; b) disposing articles or materials within an interior portion of said utility sack; c) cinching said cover closed via drawstring cords; and, d) transporting said utility sack.
 12. The method of transporting materials of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: e) re-opening said cover of said utility sack; f) removing said articles or materials; and g) collapsing said utility sack.
 13. The method of transporting materials of claim 11, wherein said articles or materials comprises a liquid, and further comprising the steps of at least partially reopening said cover and pouring said liquid from said bag.
 14. The method of transporting materials of claim 13, wherein said cover directs said liquid during said pouring step, said cover acting as a spout.
 15. A utility sack comprising: a cover closable via cords, wherein said cover is securable in a closed position via retainers, and wherein said retainers are selectively movable along said cords.
 16. The utility sack of claim 15, wherein said retainers are selectively movable along said cords via depression of urged buttons disposed on said cords, and wherein said depression of said urged buttons opens throughholes in said retainers to permit movement of said cords therethrough.
 17. The utility sack of claim 15, further comprising a semirigid sidewall, and a rigid bottom wall sealingly attached to a bottom portion of said semirigid sidewall, said cover being sealingly attached to said semirigid sidewall at a top portion of said semirigid sidewall.
 18. The utility sack of claim 17, wherein said semirigid sidewall is collapsible.
 19. The utility sack of claim 17, further comprising a carrying strap.
 20. The utility sack of claim 17, wherein said semirigid sidewall and said bottom comprise a liquid impermeable surface. 